While the Browns failed to bring Smith in, their doing so is actually a win. Because of the leaguewide interest in the Chiefs quarterback, Washington handsomely overpaid Kansas City for the right to then overpay Smith through age 38. Unwise for a quarterback so reliant on his now-declining athleticism in rollouts.

Then again, Cousins has indicated that winning will be his priority in free agency.

“Is money a part of it? Sure. Is it the only thing? No,” Cousins recently told “Pro Football Talk Live.” “It’s about winning, and that’s what I want more than anything. So I’m going to be willing to make sacrifices or do what has to be done to make sure I’m in the best possible position to win, and that’s what the focus is going to be. … Ultimately this decision going forward is about winning games. I’ve had an opportunity to earn a good living playing football, so I want to go win. That can be Washington. It really can. (Winning is) what I’ll be remembered for. That’s what’s going to matter.”